The Klaus Töpfer Sustainability Fellowship 2027 offers a unique opportunity for highly talented mid-career professionals dedicated to sustainable development. Applications close on April 5, 2026. The fellowship, hosted by the Research Institute for Sustainability (RIFS) at the GFZ Helmholtz Centre for Geosciences in Potsdam, Germany, targets individuals who have demonstrated a strong commitment to sustainability and have at least ten years of relevant experience.
Key Details:
Application Deadline: April 5, 2026
Eligible Countries: All countries
Program Duration: Up to 1 year (flexible, can be split into intervals)
Program Location: Potsdam, Germany
Funding/Benefits: Monthly stipend, additional living cost compensation, discretionary budget up to €30,000
Award Provider: Research Institute for Sustainability (RIFS) at GFZ Helmholtz Centre for Geosciences
About this Program
The Klaus Töpfer Sustainability Fellowship honors individuals who bridge sectors—science, arts, civil society, business, or politics—to drive sustainable development. RIFS seeks applicants with innovative ideas and a proven record of working across different countries and cultures. The fellowship supports projects with long-term impact, aiming to foster transformative change beyond the fellowship period.
Fellows will spend up to one year at RIFS in Potsdam, contributing to the institute’s work and pursuing their proposed projects. The program encourages diversity, gender equality, and welcomes applicants from all backgrounds.
Eligibility Criteria
- Mid-career professionals with a minimum of ten years’ experience in sustainability-related fields.
- Proven ability to act as a change agent and bridge different sectors of society.
- Experience working in multiple countries and cultural contexts.
- Innovative project proposal with potential for long-term impact.
- Fluency in English (application documents must be in English).
- Willingness to reside in Potsdam for the fellowship duration.
What Fellows Receive: Fellows receive a monthly stipend, financial compensation for additional living costs, and a discretionary budget of up to €30,000. This budget can cover travel, publication fees, workshop organization, or artistic production costs.
Program Components: Fellows are expected to pursue their projects on-site, engage with RIFS researchers, and contribute to the institute’s transdisciplinary and co-creative research environment.
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How to Apply
- Prepare the following documents in English:
- Letter of motivation (max. 6,500 characters) outlining your experience at the science-society interface and your approach to bridging sectors.
- Project proposal (max. 15,000 characters plus references) detailing activities, research fields, expected outputs, work plan, resources, timeline, and long-term impact.
- Current CV (max. 10,000 characters plus key publications) highlighting your career path and five most important achievements.
- Two letters of recommendation with referees’ contact details.
- Submit your application using the online form provided on the official RIFS website.
- Declare any use of AI in preparing your application.
- Ensure your application is received by April 5, 2026, 23:59 CEST.
👉 Visit the official fellowship page for details
